The Obamas, LeBron James, planning basketball docuseries

The Obamas and James are partnering with former NFL great Peyton Manning to make a basketball docuseries that mirrors Manning's "Quarterback" series.

TheGrio Staff

Oct 24, 2023

Barack and Michelle Obama and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James are teaming up with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to develop a sports docuseries.

James’ SpringHill Company and Obama’s Higher Ground are in discussions with Manning’s Omaha Productions for an upcoming series centered around professional basketball players, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This exciting project aims to bring the same compelling approach to the NBA that Omaha’s “Quarterback” did for the NFL.

The NBA is anticipated to play an integral role in this series, much like NFL Films’ partnership with “Quarterback.” Higher Ground has a first-look deal with Netflix, and “Quarterback” proved to be a significant addition to the streaming platform earlier this year.

Los Angeles Lakers star and children’s book author LeBron James warms up prior to Game Four of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles in May. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

While the specific players the series will follow remain undisclosed at this stage, it’s worth noting that previous sports docuseries have often sought to feature a blend of superstar athletes and lesser-known players.

In 2021, SpringHill, co-founded by James and Maverick Carter, attracted investments totaling $725 million from RedBird, Nike and Epic Games. The company has also secured first-look agreements with Disney and Universal for scripted TV and films, respectively, contributing to its wide-ranging impact in the entertainment industry.

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Higher Ground, recognized for its impactful documentaries, has established film and TV partnerships with Netflix, as well as a podcast collaboration with Audible. Their recent acquisition, “American Symphony,” is already generating buzz as a potential contender for the Oscars.

The resurgence of sports docuseries owes much of its popularity to platforms like Netflix. Their content includes in-depth explorations of Formula 1 drivers in “Drive to Survive,” PGA Tour golfers in “Full Swing,” and highlights the lives of athletes such as Patrick Mahomes in “Quarterback” and David Beckham in “Beckham.”

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